Assemblies and methods of sterilizing a wet stored prosthetic heart valve

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to “wet” transcatheter prosthetic heart valve or other implant packaging and assemblies in which a prosthetic heart valve or other implant is loaded into a first portion of a delivery device and positioned within a container in which sterilizing fluid is retained to sterilize interior portions of the container as well as provide moisture to prevent the implant from drying out. The disclosure also relates to methods of sterilizing the disclosed assemblies. Some disclosed methods include at least two sterilizing steps and adjustment of a mechanical seal member or formation of multiple seals so that areas proximate the seals are also sterilized during the sterilization process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of Ser. No. 15/968,867,filed May 2, 2018, entitled “ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF STERILIZING A WETSTORED PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE” now allowed, which claims the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/595,618, filed Dec. 7, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/500,046, filed May 2, 2017, the entire teachings of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Disclosed embodiments relate to packaging for a “wet” tissue prostheticheart valve or other implant with at least a portion of a deliverydevice. Methods of assembling packaged transcatheter prosthetic heartvalves or implants with the portion of the delivery device andsterilizing the same are also disclosed.

A human heart includes four heart valves that determine the pathway ofblood flow through the heart: the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, theaortic valve, and the pulmonary valve. The mitral and tricuspid valvesare atrio-ventricular valves, which are between the atria and theventricles, while the aortic and pulmonary valves are semilunar valves,which are in the arteries leaving the heart. Ideally, native leaflets ofa heart valve move apart from each other when the valve is in an openposition, and meet or “coapt” when the valve is in a closed position.Problems that may develop with valves include stenosis in which a valvedoes not open properly, and/or insufficiency or regurgitation in which avalve does not close properly. Stenosis and insufficiency may occurconcomitantly in the same valve. The effects of valvular dysfunctionvary, with regurgitation or backflow typically having relatively severephysiological consequences to the patient.

Diseased or otherwise deficient heart valves can be repaired or replacedusing a variety of different types of heart valve surgeries. Oneconventional technique involves an open-heart surgical approach that isconducted under general anesthesia, during which the heart is stoppedand blood flow is controlled by a heart-lung bypass machine.

More recently, minimally invasive approaches have been developed tofacilitate catheter-based implantation of the valve prosthesis on thebeating heart, intending to obviate the need for the use of classicalsternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. In general terms, an expandablevalve prosthesis is compressed about or within a catheter of a deliverydevice, inserted inside a body lumen of the patient, such as the femoralartery, and delivered to a desired location in the heart where the valveprosthesis is then deployed.

Known valve prostheses include a stent frame supporting a valvestructure. The valve structure can assume a variety of forms, and can beformed, for example, from tissue made from one or more biocompatiblesynthetic materials, synthetic polymers, autograft tissue, homografttissue, xenograft tissue, or one or more other suitable materials. Insome embodiments, the valve structure can be formed, for example, frombovine, porcine, equine, ovine and/or other suitable animal tissues. Thevalve structure can be formed from heart valve tissue, pericardium,and/or other suitable tissue. In some embodiments, the valve structurecan include or form one or more leaflets. For example, the valvestructure can be in the form of a tri-leaflet bovine pericardium valve,a bi-leaflet valve, or another suitable valve.

A valve prosthesis is often packaged in a container filled withsolution, such as glutaraldehyde, for sterilizing and preserving thevalve prosthesis prior to attachment to a delivery device for deliveryto a patient. Such a method is generally referred to as a “wet” storedvalve. Sometimes, the valve prosthesis is preloaded on a distal portionof the delivery device, which are both packaged in the container. Someknown packaging configurations include both wet and dry compartments;wherein the valve prosthesis is stored in a wet compartment loaded ontothe delivery device component and the remainder of the delivery devicecomponent is secured in a dry compartment.

The disclosed embodiments address problems and limitations with therelated art.

SUMMARY

It has been found that adequate sterilization of “wet” stored orpackaged prosthetic heart valves or other implants, preloaded onto atleast a first portion of an elongated delivery device, can beproblematic as there are difficulties in sterilizing the deviceproximate one or more seals retaining sterilization fluid within acontainer containing the prosthetic heart valve. Disclosed assembliesprovide “wet” packaging for a prosthetic heart valve with the firstportion of a delivery device as well as methods of sterilizing apackaged prosthetic heart valve. Various disclosed assemblies include acontainer in which the prosthetic heart valve can be positionedpreloaded on the first portion of a delivery device. The container ismade of a non-porous material to retain sterilization fluid (e.g.,glutaraldehyde). In some embodiments, the container includes an aperturein which a seal is formed between the delivery device and the containerat a first, more proximal position with respect to the prosthetic heartvalve. Then the packaged prosthetic heart valve can be sterilized withsterealizing fluid or the like in a first sterilization process. Next,the seal is removed and a second seal is formed between the containerand the delivery device at a location more distal to the first positionof the seal in preparation for a second sterilization process that willprovide sterilization at the first position. The first and second sealscan be either formed by the same or different seal members.

Alternate assemblies include an implant loaded onto a first portion ofan elongated delivery device, a storage container including a firstsection and a second section; wherein the implant is positioned withinthe first section and the first portion of the delivery device ispositioned in both the first and second sections, a first sealpositioned to retain sterilization fluid within the first section; and asecond seal positioned between the first portion of the delivery deviceand the second section. To sterilize such an assembly, the first andsecond portions can at least partially be filled with sterilizingsolution. The first section can then be sealed to prevent escape of thesterilizing solution until the implant is to be delivered. Thesterilization fluid within the second section can be drained after thesecond section is sterilized. Then, the second section can be removedand yet a further sterilization process can be conducted to sterilizethe assembly proximate the previous location of the second seal.

Alternately, the assembly can be configured to include a first sectionand a second section interconnected by gas-permeable but liquid tightsseals. The first section, which houses the implant, can be filled withsterilization fluid to sterilize the interior of the first section andcan also prevent portions of the implant (e.g., valve tissue) fromdrying out. Ethylene oxide sterilization or the like can be used in asecond sterilization process to sterilize the rest of the assembly,including areas proximate or adjacent the gas-permeable by liquid tightsseals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a stented prosthetic heart valve useful withsystems, devices and methods of the present disclosure and in a normal,expanded condition.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 1A in acompressed condition.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a stented prosthetic heartvalve delivery device in accordance with principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2B is an assembled top view of the stented prosthetic heart valvedelivery device of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an assembly in a firstconfiguration for a first sterilization process in which a seal isformed in a first location.

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of the assembly of FIG. 3A in asecond configuration for a second sterilization process in which a sealis formed in a second location.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of sterilizing the assembly of FIGS.3A-3B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternate assembly.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged schematic illustration of a joining seal of FIG.5 in a disengaged position.

FIG. 8B is an enlarged schematic illustration of the joining seal ofFIGS. 5 and 8A in an engaged position.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, schematic illustration of a complimentaryreceiver that can be selectively engaged with the joining seal of FIGS.8A-8B.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, schematic illustration of a lid of the assemblyof FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of sterilizing the assembly of FIG.5.

FIG. 12A is a front view of an alternate assembly.

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 12A.

FIGS. 13-22 are cross-sectional views of the assembly of FIGS. 12A-12Bin various stages of being put together.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of yet another assembly.

FIG. 24 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 25A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIGS.23-24.

FIGS. 25B-25C are partial, enlarged cross-sectional views of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25D is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 25A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described withreference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. The terms “distal” and“proximal” are used in the following description with respect to aposition or direction relative to the treating clinician. “Distal” or“distally” are a position distant from or in a direction away from theclinician. “Proximal” and “proximally” are a position near or in adirection toward the clinician. As used herein with reference to animplanted prosthetic heart valve, the terms “distal” and “outflow” areunderstood to mean downstream to the direction of blood flow, and theterms “proximal” or “inflow” are understood to mean upstream to thedirection of blood flow.

As referred to herein, stented transcatheter prosthetic heart valvesuseful with and/or as part of the various systems, devices and methodsof the present disclosure may assume a wide variety of differentconfigurations, such as a bioprosthetic heart valve having tissueleaflets or a synthetic heart valve having polymeric, metallic ortissue-engineered leaflets, and can be specifically configured forreplacing any of the four valves of the human heart. Thus, the stentedprosthetic heart valve useful with the systems, devices, and methods ofthe present disclosure can be generally used for replacement of a nativeaortic, mitral, pulmonic or tricuspid valve, or to replace a failedbioprosthesis, such as in the area of an aortic valve or mitral valve,for example.

In general terms, the stented prosthetic heart valves of the presentdisclosure include a stent or stent frame having an internal lumenmaintaining a valve structure (tissue or synthetic), with the stentframe having a normal, expanded condition or arrangement and collapsibleto a compressed condition or arrangement for loading within a deliverydevice. The stent frame is normally constructed to self-deploy orself-expand when released from the delivery device. For example, thestents or stent frames are support structures that comprise a number ofstruts or wire segments arranged relative to each other to provide adesired compressibility and strength to the prosthetic heart valve. Thestruts or wire segments are arranged such that they are capable ofself-transitioning from a compressed or collapsed condition to a normal,radially expanded condition. The struts or wire segments can be formedfrom a shape memory material, such as a nickel titanium alloy (e.g.,nitinol). The stent frame can be laser-cut from a single piece ofmaterial, or can be assembled from a number of discrete components.

With the above understanding in mind, one simplified, non-limitingexample of a stented prosthetic heart valve 10 useful with systems,devices and methods of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 1A.As a point of reference, the prosthetic heart valve 10 is shown in anormal or expanded condition in the view of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1B illustratesthe prosthetic heart valve in a compressed condition (e.g., whencompressively retained within an outer catheter or sheath as describedbelow). The prosthetic heart valve 10 includes a stent or stent frame 12and a valve structure 14. A paravalvular leakage prevention wrap (notshown) can also be provided around the stent frame 12. The stent frame12 can assume any of the forms mentioned above, and is generallyconstructed so as to be self-expandable or balloon-expandable from thecompressed condition (FIG. 1B) to the normal, expanded condition (FIG.1A). In some embodiments, the stent frame can be balloon expandable orexpanded mechanically.

The valve structure 14 can assume a variety of forms, and can be formed,for example, from one or more biocompatible synthetic materials,synthetic polymers, autograft tissue, homograft tissue, xenografttissue, or one or more other suitable materials. In some embodiments,the valve structure 14 can be formed, for example, from bovine, porcine,equine, ovine and/or other suitable animal tissues. In some embodiments,the valve structure 14 can be formed, for example, from heart valvetissue, pericardium, and/or other suitable tissue. In some embodiments,the valve structure 14 can include or form one or more leaflets 16. Forexample, the valve structure 14 can be in the form of a tri-leafletvalve, a bi-leaflet valve, or another suitable valve. In someconstructions, the valve structure 14 can comprise two or three leafletsthat are fastened together at enlarged lateral end regions to formcommissural joints, with the unattached edges forming coaptation edgesof the valve structure 14. The leaflets 16 can be fastened to a skirtthat in turn is attached to the frame 12. The upper ends of thecommissure points can define an inflow portion 18 corresponding to afirst or inflow end 20 of the prosthetic heart valve 10. The oppositeend of the valve can define an outflow portion 22 corresponding to asecond or outflow end 24 of the prosthetic heart valve 10. As shown, thestent frame 12 can have a lattice or cell-like structure, and optionallyforms or provides crowns 26 and/or eyelets 28 (or other shapes) at theoutflow and inflow ends 20, 24.

With the one exemplary construction of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the prostheticheart valve 10 can be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) for replacingor repairing an aortic valve. Alternatively, other shapes are alsoenvisioned, adapted to mimic the specific anatomy of the valve to berepaired (e.g., stented prosthetic heart valves useful with the presentdisclosure can alternatively be shaped and/or sized for replacing anative mitral, pulmonic or tricuspid valve or compassionate use such asheterotopic implants).

With the above understanding of the stented prosthetic heart valves inmind, one embodiment of a delivery device 50 for percutaneouslydelivering the prosthesis or an alternate implant is shown in simplifiedform in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The delivery device 50 includes a deliverysheath assembly 52, an inner shaft assembly 54, a spindle 56 and ahandle assembly 58. Details on the various components are providedbelow. In general terms, however, the delivery device 50 combines with astented prosthetic heart valve (e.g., the prosthetic heart valve ofFIGS. 1A-1B) to form a system for performing a therapeutic procedure ona defective heart valve of a patient. The delivery device 50 provides aloaded or delivery state in which a stented prosthetic heart valve isloaded over the spindle 56 and is compressively retained within acapsule 62 of the delivery sheath assembly 52. The delivery sheathassembly 52 can be manipulated to withdraw the capsule 62 proximallyfrom over the prosthetic heart valve via operation of the handleassembly 58, permitting the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand andpartially release from the spindle 56. When the capsule 62 is retractedproximally beyond the valve retainer (not shown), the stented prostheticheart valve can completely release or deploy from the delivery device50. The delivery device 50 can optionally include other components thatassist or facilitate or control complete deployment, as desired.

Various features of the components 52-58 reflected in FIGS. 2A and 2Band as described below can be modified or replaced with differingstructures and/or mechanisms. Thus, the present disclosure is in no waylimited to the delivery sheath assembly 52, the inner shaft assembly 54,the spindle 56 or the handle assembly 58 as shown and described below.Any construction that generally facilitates compressed loading of astented prosthetic heart valve over an inner shaft via a retractableouter sheath or capsule is acceptable. Further, the delivery device 50can optionally include additional components or features, such as aflush port assembly 72, a recapture sheath (not shown), etc.

In some embodiments, the delivery sheath assembly 52 defines proximaland distal ends 80, 82, and includes the capsule 62 and an outer shaft84. The delivery sheath assembly 52 can be akin to a catheter, defininga lumen 86 (referenced generally) that extends from the distal end 82through the capsule 62 and at least a portion of the outer shaft 84. Thelumen 86 can be open at the proximal end 80 (e.g., the outer shaft 84can be a tube). The capsule 62 extends distally from the outer shaft 84,and in some embodiments has a more stiffened construction (as comparedto a stiffness of the outer shaft 84) that exhibits sufficient radial orcircumferential rigidity to overtly resist the expected expansive forcesof the stented prosthetic heart valve (not shown) when compressed withinthe capsule 62. For example, the outer shaft 84 can be a polymer tubeembedded with a metal braiding, whereas the capsule 62 includes alaser-cut metal tube that is optionally embedded within a polymercovering. Alternatively, the capsule 62 and the outer shaft 84 can havea more uniform or even homogenous construction (e.g., a continuouspolymer tube). Regardless, the capsule 62 is constructed tocompressively retain the stented prosthetic heart valve at apredetermined diameter when loaded within the capsule 62, and the outershaft 84 serves to connect the capsule 62 with the handle assembly 58.The outer shaft 84 (as well as the capsule 62) is constructed to besufficiently flexible for passage through a patient's vasculature, yetexhibits sufficient longitudinal rigidity to effectuate desired axialmovement of the capsule 62. In other words, proximal retraction of theouter shaft 84 is directly transferred to the capsule 62 and causes acorresponding proximal retraction of the capsule 62. In otherembodiments, the outer shaft 84 is further configured to transmit arotational force or movement onto the capsule 62.

The inner shaft assembly 54 can have various constructions appropriatefor supporting the delivery sheath assembly 52, including indirectlysupporting the spindle 56 (and a stented prosthetic heart valve disposedthereon) relative to the capsule 62. In some embodiments, the innershaft assembly 54 includes an intermediate shaft or tube 90 and aproximal shaft or tube 92. The intermediate tube 90 is optionally formedof a flexible polymer material (e.g., PEEK), and is sized to be slidablyreceived within the delivery sheath assembly 52. The intermediate tube90 serves as a transition to the deflection assembly 60, and in someembodiments is a flexible polymer tubing (e.g., PEEK) having a diameterslightly less than that of the proximal tube 92. The proximal tube 92can have a more rigid construction, configured for robust assembly withthe handle assembly 58, such as a metal hypotube. Other constructionsare also envisioned. For example, in other embodiments, the intermediateand proximal tubes 90, 92 are integrally formed as a single, homogenoustube or shaft. Regardless, the inner shaft assembly 54 forms or definesat least one lumen (not shown) sized, for example, to slidably receive aguide wire (not shown).

The spindle 56 includes an inner support shaft 74 and a tip 76. Theinner support shaft 74 is sized to be slidably received within the lumen86 of the delivery sheath assembly 52, and is configured for mounting tothe deflection assembly 60. The inner support shaft 74 can be a flexiblepolymer tube embedded with a metal braid. Other constructions are alsoacceptable so long as the inner support shaft 74 exhibits sufficientstructural integrity to support a loaded, compressed stented prostheticheart valve or other implant (not shown). The tip 76 forms or defines anose cone having a distally tapering outer surface adapted to promoteatraumatic contact with bodily tissue. The tip 76 can be fixed orslidable relative to the inner support shaft 74. The spindle 56 candefine a continuous lumen (not shown) sized to slidably receive anauxiliary component such as a guide wire (not shown).

The handle assembly 58 generally includes a housing 66 and one or moreactuator mechanisms 68 (referenced generally). The housing 66 maintainsthe actuator mechanism(s) 68, with the handle assembly 58 configured tofacilitate sliding movement of the delivery sheath assembly 52 relativeto other components (e.g., the inner shaft assembly 54, the spindle 56).The housing 66 can have any shape or size appropriate for convenienthandling by a user.

With the above general explanations of exemplary embodiments of thecomponents 52-58 in mind, the present disclosure provides manyassemblies for storing prosthetic heart valves in a “wet” (generallysubmerged within sterilization fluid) state either with or without partof a delivery device (e.g., the spindle 56 of the delivery device 50).The disclosed embodiments are configured to allow for sterilization ofthe assembly. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the prosthetic heartvalves can either be stored in either the expanded or compressedcondition.

One embodiment of an assembly 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. In thisembodiment, an implant such as a prosthetic heart valve 10 is loadedonto a first portion of the delivery device (e.g., the spindle 56). Itis to be understood that the delivery device of FIGS. 2A-2B isschematically shown in this embodiment only as an example and othertypes of delivery devices can be used with the disclosed assemblies andmethods. In this embodiment, the prosthetic heart valve 10 is loadedonto and packaged with a complete delivery device 50, however, not allof the delivery device is required as part of the assembly. For example,the handle assembly 58 or other, perhaps reusable, components of thedelivery device 50 can be omitted and put together prior to use. In oneexample embodiment, the assembly 100 can include only the spindle 56 ofthe delivery device 50. The assembly 100 further includes a storagecontainer 102 including an opening 104 through which a prosthetic heartvalve 10 can be inserted. The storage container 102 is made ofnon-porous material (e.g., glass, film). The assembly 100 furtherincludes at least one seal member 110, which can be used to retainsterilization fluid F (e.g., glutaraldehyde or the like) within thestorage container 102.

One example method of sterilizing the assembly 100 is generally outlinedin FIG. 4. After the prosthetic heart valve is loaded onto at least aportion of a delivery device 160, the prosthetic heat valve ispositioned within the storage container 162 and the storage container isat least partially filled with sterilization fluid (e.g., glutaraldehydeor the like) 164. The first seal is formed with the seal member at afirst position in the opening to retain the sterilization fluid withinthe storage container 166. The sterilization fluid sterilizes theprosthetic valve and areas inside of the storage container 168 as wellas provides moisture beneficial for tissue of the valve structure. Themethod further comprises the step of releasing the first seal from thefirst position 170, optionally draining excess sterilization fluid fromwithin the storage container 170 and forming a second seal at a secondposition that is distal with respect to the first position 172. In otherwords, the second position is closer to the prosthetic heart valve ascompared to the first position. Then, the assembly is packaged in asealed pouch and a dry sterilization process is conducted either viagas-based or radiation-based sterilization techniques 174, for example.This dry sterilization process 174 sterilizes the areas of concernproximate the first position where the first seal was previously formedat step 166 as well as other areas of the assembly outside of thestorage container.

The “dry” sterilization techniques discloses herein, include, but arenot limited to, gas-based techniques known in the art such as ethyleneoxide (EtO). Such “dry” sterilization techniques also includeradiation-based sterilization techniques including, but not limited toelectron beam sterilization.

The seal member 110 can include heat shrink wrap or mechanical seal. Ifa mechanical seal, the seal member 110 can be formed by repositioningthe seal member 110. In other embodiments, the first and second sealscan be formed be formed by different seal members.

A second assembly 200 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5-10. Theassembly 200 includes the first portion of the delivery device, such asthe spindle 56 disclosed above, for example. Loaded to the spindle 56 isan implant, such as the prosthetic heart valve 10. The loaded prostheticheart valve 10 is positioned within a storage container 202. The storagecontainer 202 includes an opening 204 for receiving the loadedprosthetic heart valve 10 and is made of a non-permeable material, suchas glass or plastic. The storage container 202 further includes a stopcock 206 or other mechanism for providing a closeable/openable conduitfrom the exterior of the storage container 202 to the inside of thestorage container 202 proximate the implant 10. The stop cock 206 isused for filling and draining sterilization fluid as will be discussedin further detail below.

The assembly 200 further includes a sealing piece 210 that can beremovably connected to the storage container 202 via a threadedconnection 212 (generally referenced). The sealing piece 210 includes abody 214 made of a non-porous material and a joining seal 216 configuredto both secure the sealing piece 210 to the storage container 202 andcreate a liquid-tight seal between the body 214, the spindle 56 and thestorage container 202 proximate the opening 204. In one optionalembodiment, the joining seal 216 can be of the type illustrated in FIGS.8A-8B, which includes a plurality of prongs 218 that are biasedoutwardly from a central axis A of the joining seal 216 similar to whatcan be used for garden hose fittings. Rotation of the joining seal 216in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction can either engage ordisengage the prongs 218 (only a few of which are referenced in FIG.8A-8B) with the storage container 202 when the storage container 202 isconfigured to include an appropriate receiver to accept such a joiningseal 216 (see, e.g., FIG. 9 which illustrates one example of anappropriate receiver 208, which is of the type used in garden hosefittings, as is shown in FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the storagecontainer 202 overlaps at least part of the sealing piece 210 adjacentthe joining seal 216. The storage container 202 can additionally includea feature 220 that ensures that a nonsterile surface of the joining seal216 cannot be contacted during use.

Attached to the sealing piece 210 via a threaded connection 222(generally referenced, see also FIG. 7) is a sterilization container 230that is also made of a non-porous material. The sterilization container230 is connected to a lid 240. The lid 240 includes an aperture 242 forreceiving the spindle 56 and also a seal 244 circumscribing the aperture242 to form a liquid-tight seal between the lid 240 and the spindle 56.In some embodiments, the lid 240 can be provided in two interlockingpieces 246 a, 246 b that can be connected around and disconnected fromaround the spindle 56. The sterilization container 230 can furtherinclude a stopcock 232 or other mechanism for providing a closeableconduit from the exterior of the assembly 200 to the inside of theassembly 200. The sterilization container 230 and lid 240 can includecorresponding threads 234 (jointly referenced) for enabling a threadedconnection between both the sterilization container 230 and the lid 240.

One method of sterilizing the assembly of FIGS. 5-10 is generallyillustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 11. In this method, prostheticheart valve or other implant is loaded onto a first portion of thedelivery device 260, such as the spindle as disclosed above. Theprosthetic heart valve is placed within storage container to form anassembly 262. The sealing piece, sterilization container, lid andsealing piece are secured to the storage container 264 in thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 5. Then, the storage container, sealingpiece and sterilization container are at least partially filled withsterilization fluid, such as glutaraldehyde, via one or both of the stopcocks 266. After the sterilization fluid sufficiently sterilizes theinterior of the storage container, portion of the delivery device, thesealing piece and sterilization container, a seal is formed between thestorage container, portion of the delivery device and sealing piece 268,for example, by rotating the sealing piece to tighten the prongs of thejoining seal against the storage container. Next, the sterilizationfluid is drained from within the sterilization container and sealingpiece 270. The sterilization container and lid are removed from thesealing piece and storage container 270. The assembly is then packed ina sealed pouch and then a dry sterilization process of the spindle (canalso optionally include additional portions of a delivery device),sealing piece and storage container is conducted via gas-based orradiation-based sterilization techniques to sterilize the exterior ofthe assembly packaged within the sealed pouch 272. At this stage theassembly can be stored prior to use 274. At the time the assembly is tobe used, the sterilization fluid is drained from the storage container276 and saline is introduced through the stop cock of the storagecontainer to flush prosthetic heart valve 278. The sealing piece is thenremoved and the prosthetic heart valve is compressed for removal fromthe storage container for use 280.

Referring now also to FIGS. 12A-22, which collectively illustrate yetanother alternate assembly 300. The assembly 300 includes a storagecontainer 302 made of a non-porous material. The storage container 302includes an opening 304 for receiving a loaded prosthetic heart valve orimplant 10. The storage container 302 also includes a stop cock port 306for receiving a stopcock (not shown). Positioned within the opening 304is a seal 316 that circumscribes the portion of the delivery device towhich the prosthetic heart valve 10 is loaded. In the illustratedembodiment, the seal 316 provides a seal between the spindle 56 and thestorage container 302 for retaining sterilization fluid (not shown)within the storage container 302. The assembly 300 further includes afirst Tuohy Borst piece 318 and a second Tuohy Borst piece 322 bothoptionally having a textured outer surface for gripping by a user.Attached to the second Tuohy Borst piece 322 is a sterilizationcontainer 330 having a stop cock port 366 for receiving a stop cock (notshown; can be of the type illustrated in FIG. 5). Positioned over thesterilization container 330 proximate the seal 342 is a lid 340. The lid340 can also include a textured outer surface for gripping by a user. Aseal 342 interfaces between the spindle 56 and the lid 340.

One method of sterilizing the assembly 300 can be summarized as follows.In such an example method the Tuohy Borst seal 316 can be positioned inplaced as generally illustrated in FIG. 13 and the storage container 302can be connected to the Tuohy Borst assembly 318, 320, 322 (FIGS.14-15). Then, the implant 10 can be loaded onto the spindle 56 and thenplaced inside of the storage container 302 having the Tuohy Borstassembly 318, 320, 322 attached thereto as is generally depicted in FIG.15. As shown in FIG. 15, the implant can then be deployed (expanded)within the storage container 302 to the point where the implant 10 canbe reloaded using the delivery device later in time. Next, thesterilization container 330 is attached to the second Tuohy Borst piece322 via threaded connection or the like (FIG. 16). The lid 340 can thenbe secured over the sterilization container 330 as shown in FIG. 17. Thestop cock port 306 can receive a stop cock (not shown) that can be usedto at least partially fill the assembly shown in FIG. 18 withsterilization fluid (not shown) of the types disclosed above. The stopcock port 366 can then be closed via the stopcock inserted therein toperform sterilization of the interior of the assembly 300 via contactwith the sterilizing fluid.

After sterilization of the interior of the assembly 300, the first TuohyBorst piece 318 is rotated relative to the storage container 302 todrive the first Tuohy Borst piece 318 against the Tuohy Borst seal 316as is generally depicted in FIG. 19. The downward motion of the firstTuohy Borst piece 318 will cause the seal 316 to compress against thespindle 56 creating a seal separating the sterilization fluid in thestorage container 302 with the sterilization fluid in the proximal theseal 316. The seal/spindle interface of FIG. 20 will have exposure tothe sterilization fluid at this stage, as will other interior portionsof the assembly 300 distal to the seal 316.

To sterilize additional portions of the assembly 300, the stop cock port366 is opened and the sterilization fluid is drained from thesterilization container 330. The sterilization container 330 and lid 340are removed via an optional two-piece 346 a, 346 b lid 340 configurationas shown in FIG. 21. At this point, everything distal to line L withinthe assembly 300 is sterile (FIG. 22). The assembly is the packaged in asealed pouch and everything proximal to the line L and outer surfaces ofthe assembly 300 are next sterilized in a second “dry” sterilizationprocess such as EtO sterilization, electron beam sterilization or thelike. Once the assembly 300 is returned from the second sterilizationprocess, the assembly 300 can be used by draining the remainingsterilization fluid via the stop cock port 306. The storage container302 can be flushed with saline until the sterilization fluid is removedfrom the implant 10 or reduced to a desired level. The implant 10 canthen be compressed. The Tuohy Borst seal assembly 318, 320, 322 isopened and the implant 10 is retracted from the storage container 302loaded on the spindle 56.

Turning now also to FIGS. 23-25D, which collectively illustratecomponents of an alternate assembly 400 for storing a prosthetic heartvalve or other implant 10 and a first portion of a delivery device(e.g., the spindle 56). The assembly 400 includes a container 402 madeof a non-permeable material, such as one of those disclosed above, thatcan house the prosthetic heart valve loaded onto the portion of adelivery device. The container 402 can optionally include a vent (notvisible) that has a high IP rating to retain sterilization fluid Fwithin the container 402 but is suitable for “dry” gas-based orradiation-based sterilization techniques. The container 402 of thisembodiment includes a first section 403 that can be selectively securedto a second section 413 via threading or the like. A removable cover 410is connected to the second section 413. The lid 410 can be arranged andconfigured to screw on to the second section 413, for example when theassembly 400 is operatively assembled as is shown in FIGS. 23 and 25Aand the spindle 56 is positioned within an aperture 424 formed by thelid 410, seal 428 and second section 413. The seal 428 can be an annulusmade of rubber or similar material. In this embodiment, the assembly 400can include one or more Tyvek® (flashspun high-density polyethylenefibers) seals 430, 470, 472 to form a liquid tight seal at jointsbetween interconnected elements. For example, one Tyvek® seal 430 canoptionally be provided at the threaded connection between the firstsection 403 and the second section 413. A second Tyvek® seal 470 canoptionally be provided at the connection between the second section 413and the lid 410. In addition, one Tyvek® seal 472 can optionally beprovided between the second section 413 and the seal 428. The container402 can be sterilized as sterilizing fluid F can be used to sterilizethe first section 403 and gas or “dry” sterilization techniques can beused to sterilize components 430, 428, 470, 472, 410, 424 as well as theportion of the delivery device (e.g., a shaft (not shown) insertedwithin the aperture 424).

The first stage of assembly 400 of the embodiment of FIGS. 23-25Dincludes preparing the Tyvek® or similar material seals 470, 472. Theseals 428, 470 are together placed into the second section 413. The lid410 is then loosely attached to the second section 413 with the Tyvek®seal 470 placed between the respective threads of the lid 410 and thesecond section 413. Without the prosthetic valve or implant loadedthereto, the spindle 56 is inserted through the opening in the assembly(including elements 410 470, 428, 472 and 413) and moved distally awayfrom the spindle 56. This is to allow for the attachment of theprosthetic valve 10 to the spindle 56.

Next, the prosthetic valve 10 is attached to the spindle 56. The Tyvek®or similar material seal 430 is prepared and placed on the secondsection 413 such that the exposed threads are covered. The first section403 is filled with a sterilizing fluid F (e.g., glutaraldehyde or thelike). The sterilizing fluid can be effective for both sterilizing thecontents of the first section 403 and also preventing the prostheticvalve 10 from drying out. This assembly (including elements 410, 470,428, 472, 413 and 430) is slid proximally towards a distal tip of thespindle 56.

To assemble and seal the assembly 400, the prosthetic valve 10 is putinto the sterilizing solution and the second section 413 is screwed ontothe assembly, sealing the second section 413 such that assembly 400 liesbetween the threads of the first section 403 and the second section 413.The lid cap 410 is then tightened compressing the seal 428 such that thefirst section 403 is sealed preventing the sterilizing solution fromescaping the first section 403.

To begin the sterilization process, the assembly 400 is sealed within agas permeable sealed tray or gas permeable pouch (not shown) and thensterilized with ethylene oxide (EtO) gas or the like. The Tyvek® orsimilar material seals (430, 470, 472) allow the ingress of thesterilant into the threaded areas of the assembly 400 while preventingthe escape of the sterilizing fluid F contained within the first section403. The use of the Tyvek® seals allows for this sterilization processto sterilize areas which otherwise would not be sterilized either by the“dry” sterilization techniques (e.g., EtO gas) or glutaraldehyde.Unsterile sections of the spindle 56 or the container 402 would make thespindle 56 unusable as the risk of non-sterile contamination to the enduser is expected.

Tyvek® has outstanding moisture resistance and is a particularlybeneficial material for seals 430, 470, 472. When water or otherwater-based fluids are in contact with Tyvek® such fluids do not wet thesurface or spread; the water simply remains as droplets on the surface.Tyvek® is hydrophobic and does not absorb moisture. In addition to itsmoisture resistance, another advantage of Tyvek® is that a high moisturevapor transmission rate (MVTR) can be achieved. This is particularlyimportant for an EtO sterilization process where water is introduced asa vapor because moisture enhances the effectiveness of EtO as asterilant.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges can be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly including: an elongated deliverydevice; an implant loaded onto a first portion of the elongated deliverydevice; a storage container including a first section and a secondsection; wherein the implant is positioned within the first section andthe first portion of the delivery device is positioned in both the firstand second sections; a first seal positioned to retain sterilizationfluid within the first section; and a second seal positioned between atleast a portion of the delivery device and the second section.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the first section is filled withsterilization fluid.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising acover connected to the second section and defining an aperture throughwhich the first portion of the delivery device can be inserted.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3, further comprising a third seal positioned betweenthe second section and the cover.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, furthercomprising a fourth seal provided between the second section and thethird seal.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first seal isimpermeable to liquid and the second seal is gas permeable.
 7. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the second seal is positioned at a threadedinterface.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the delivery devicefurther includes a second portion extending from the first portion, thesecond portion being positioned within the second section of the storagecontainer.
 9. A storage assembly including: an implant loaded onto afirst portion of an elongated delivery device; a storage container;wherein the implant and at least part of the first portion of theelongated delivery device is positioned within the storage container; aseal positioned to retain sterilization fluid within the storagecontainer at a first location; and wherein the storage assembly isconfigured such that the seal can be moved from the first location to asecond location of the delivery device to retain the sterilization fluidwithin the storage container.
 10. The storage assembly of claim 9,wherein the storage container is at least partially filled withsterilization fluid.
 11. The storage assembly of claim 9, wherein thestorage container includes a first section and a second section, furthercomprising a cover removably connected to the second section anddefining an aperture through which the first portion of the deliverydevice can be inserted.
 12. The storage assembly of claim 9, wherein theseal is positioned on the first portion of the delivery device.
 13. Thestorage assembly of claim 9, wherein the first location of the deliverydevice is proximal with respect to the second location.